Why can't relationships be easy?

This is a fair question. There are many answers.

How do you feel? Below are 5 issues couples face today...

Issue #1: The Breadwinner-

Up until recently the male has been the provider of the typical American family. He won the bread and he brought home the goods. When the opportunity for marriage came along, it wasn't always an entirely attractive opportunity. It was a leap of faith to marry because it seemed he had a lot of freedom to lose. For a woman however, marriage was an opportunity to gain freedom. Freedom from the burden of providing for herself and the opportunity to try her hand at something she had never done before----have children. It's no wonder that women want marriage and men think twice.

Issue #2: The Breadwinner Catch-22-

Today, women value work, success and education, sometimes to the extent that they no longer seek the opportunities of family life. Many women today earn more than their man. What is he supposed to do? He can provide more than money for the family but his role has become cheapened---almost unnecessary. The woman takes a physical role (breadwinner) and a spiritual role (mother) and leaves very little for the man. What is his role? It's no wonder a man shirks from his “responsibilities.” What are his responsibilities?

Issue #3: Men Love their Playtime-
Men seem to value play and want freedom. However, most men are well aware that marriage isn't always about play. In fact, most of the time it's not about play. Women who value friendship and companionship sometimes think,commitment and children will force them to prioritize their values as they would prefer not to. It's reasonable to see why the male counterpart sometimes shies away from the serious relationship that is presented to him.

Issue #4: Fear of Failure-

Also with the fear of investing in a serious relationship is the fear of failure, and nothing offers as much potential for failure as marriage. It's been said that love is a gamble. It’s cruel. It’s dangerous. Commitment, can be even more of a minefield. No wonder that when love rears its head, many men hesitate – or turn and run.Serious Relationship Phobia

Issue #5: Lack of Options-

Believe it or not, a woman living in the U.S. Today will have far more options than the male counterpart who shares her same economic status. She can decide she wants children, that she wants to work, that she wants to go back to school, that she wants to change her career, that she wants it all.

All of that said; a serious relationship, when done with respect, and very careful consideration can actually be quite pleasant for both sexes...

What do you think are the biggest relationship issues facing couples today?

What have you done to have success in love?

In my new novel this subject is explored in dramatic fashion as Royce Tyler and Paula Daniels experience the ups and downs of trying to make things work in a society that doesn't make things easy.

It's even more difficult when one person is hiding the truth....

To read a FREE 15 Chapter excerpt from Champagne, Jellybeans, and Chocolate click here